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C. 48
To: Board of Supervisors
From: AD HOC COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY, Supervisors John Gioia & Federal D. Glover
Date: October  13, 2015
The Seal of Contra Costa County, CA
Contra
Costa
County
Subject: Proposed Role and Duties of the County Sustainability Coordinator
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On:   10/13/2015
APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:
John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor
ABSENT:
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Contact: Lara DeLaney 925-335-1097
cc: Lisa Lopez, Assistant Director of Human Resources    
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED:     October  13, 2015
David Twa,
 
BY: , Deputy

 

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) to establish and fill the position of County Sustainability Coordinator.

FISCAL IMPACT:

100% General Fund. Funds for this position are budgeted in DCD’s approved budget for FY 2015-16.

BACKGROUND:

Summary  
Based on the analysis presented by the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD), the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability1 recommends the Board of Supervisors designate the position of County Sustainability Coordinator within the DCD to coordinate the development and integration of the County’s sustainability activities and to obtain new funding to support the County’s sustainability efforts. The duties of this position would be structured as follows:

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
    1. Facilitate and Support Interdepartmental Collaboration on Countywide Sustainability Programs and Initiatives.
      • Staff the Board of Supervisors Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability
      • Facilitate County staff coordination to County sustainability activities
      • Coordinate multi-departmental implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan and track progress towards achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets
    • Develop synergies between departmental programs, exchange information, and coordinate communications to the Board of Supervisors on sustainability issues.
    1. Coordinating Efforts to Acquire New Funding to Support County’s Sustainability Efforts
      • Lead efforts to acquire new funding to support and expand the county’s sustainability efforts (especially focusing on the new Cap and Trade funding stream).
    1. Energy Efficiency Programs
      • Coordinate County programs providing energy efficiency services to the public and represent the County in regional energy efficiency initiatives
    1. Policy Development and New Initiatives
      • Develop new policies and initiatives to advance the County’s climate and energy goals
      • Monitor and participate in development of legislation related to sustainability issues.
    Survey of Bay Area Cities and Counties  
      
    DCD staff reviewed the organizational structure of several other counties and large cities within the Bay Area with regards to sustainability activities. These include the counties of Alameda, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma; the cities of Oakland and San Jose; and the City and County of San Francisco. It is now fairly common for cities and counties to have designated sustainability staff. However, the size, function and subject matter addressed by sustainability staff differ substantially among jurisdictions.  
      
    In some jurisdictions, the role of sustainability staff is to coordinate and integrate ongoing sustainability activities in multiple departments. In other cases, sustainability staff operate a variety of programs delivering direct services to the public. A third function typical of sustainability staff is development of new program and policy initiatives, often involving interagency partnerships, legislation, and fund raising activities.   
      
    The range of programs and policy topics included under the umbrella of “sustainability” also varies considerably from one jurisdiction to another. A common program activity for many local government sustainability staff is to implement the jurisdiction’s Climate Action Plan. Other topics frequently designated as part of a city or county’s sustainability function include energy efficiency, transportation planning, long-term land use planning, solid waste management, fleet management, water conservation, adaption to sea level rise, and others.  
      
    Recommended Duties of County Sustainability Coordinator  
      
    DCD’s analysis of the experience in neighboring cities and counties suggests four areas in which a County Sustainability Coordinator would make valuable contributions towards the development of sustainability programs in Contra Costa County. These four areas are:  
    1. Facilitate and Support Interdepartmental Collaboration on Countywide Sustainability Programs and Initiatives.
    2. Coordinating Efforts to Acquire New Funding to Support County’s Sustainability Efforts
    3. Energy Efficiency Programs
    4. Policy Development and New Initiatives
      
    DCD recommends the County Sustainability Coordinator be assigned responsibilities in each of these four areas. The subject matter focus should be climate change and energy efficiency, which are inter-related and central to most local government sustainability programs. To date, the County’s activities related to climate change and energy efficiency have been limited by financial constraints, and additional resources will yield the most significant benefits for the County in achieving its sustainability goals.  
      
      
    Facilitate and Support Interdepartmental Collaboration on Countywide Sustainability Programs and Initiatives  
      
    The County Sustainability Coordinator will serve as staff to the Board of Supervisor’s Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability and assist in coordinating the sustainability activities of County departments. The County currently has staff in several departments engaged in a variety of sustainability activities. Staff in the Departments of Conservation and Development, Public Works, and Health Services are engaged in programs to promote greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation in the areas of land use, transportation and health-related programs. County facilities have been upgraded to promote energy efficiency. The County is engaged in discussions to plan for sea level rise, and to respond to other new environmental conditions resulting from climate change. The Sustainability Coordinator will not seek to duplicate existing efforts underway, but may convene interdepartmental groups to coordinate such efforts and report to the Ad Hoc Committee.  
      
    Central to this coordination effort is implementation of the County’s Climate Action Plan. Once adopted, the Climate Action Plan will provide a strategic plan for the County’s sustainability activities. The Sustainability Coordinator will convene a working group of County departments and other stakeholders to implement measures stated in the Climate Action Plan. Together with the interdepartmental working group, the Sustainability Coordinator will track progress and provide reports to the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability.  
      
    Coordinating Efforts to Acquire New Funding to Support County’s Sustainability Efforts  
      
    The Sustainability Coordinator will lead and coordinate (working with county departments) the County’s efforts to obtain new funding for countywide sustainability programs. Under the State of California’s climate change legislation, more funding is now available to support these efforts. The largest source of such funding is Cap and Trade funding (State’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund) which is estimated at $2.5 billion per year and growing. Many of these funds are available on a competitive grant basis and the County needs to be aggressive in developing grant applications to receive these funds. These funds may be spent throughout Contra Costa County.  
      
    Some of the Cap and Trade revenues are earmarked for designated communities. Under California law, a minimum of 25% of Cap and Trade funds must be spent to benefit “disadvantaged communities” around the state. Portions of the following communities in Contra Costa County are defined as “disadvantaged communities” under California law – Antioch, Bay Point, Crockett, Oakley, Pittsburg, Richmond, Rodeo and San Pablo.  
      
    Energy Efficiency Programs  
      
    DCD recommends the Sustainability Coordinator be the lead County staff person coordinating the County’s participation in energy efficiency programs serving the public. These include programs offering educational resources and financial rebates, loans, and other incentives to promote the efficient use of energy by businesses and residents. These programs include the Bay Area Regional Energy Network, East Bay Energy Watch, County Weatherization Program, Neighborhood Preservation Program, and PACE financing programs. Energy efficiency programs are a dynamic and growing program area in California, as the State pursues reduced energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.   
      
    Policy Development and New Initiatives  
      
    DCD recommends the County Sustainability Coordinator take a lead role in County policy development and new initiatives related to climate change and energy efficiency. It may also include forming partnerships with other agencies on regional sustainability efforts, and participating in the development of legislation.  
      
    Benefits of the Sustainability Coordinator for County Departments  
      
    The designation of a County Sustainability Coordinator will have benefits for County departments that have on-going programs and activities related to climate change and energy efficiency. The following are anticipated benefits to the identified departments:  
      
      
      
    Conservation and Development  
      
    The Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) anticipates the County Sustainability Coordinator will assist DCD in coordinating activities related to the County’s Climate Action Plan and energy efficiency programs. The Sustainability Coordinator will also assist various County departments, including DCD, to seek funding through the State’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (Cap and Trade funds) and other grant programs.   
      
    DCD serves as the lead department for coordinating the development of the County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). DCD has assumed this activity without a budgeted revenue source, and the staff supporting this activity are doing so in addition to their regularly assigned duties. The designation of a County Sustainability Coordinator will provide a budget and staffing to assist DCD in implementing the CAP once adopted by the Board, which is expected to occur this fall.  
      
    The Sustainability Coordinator will also assist DCD in coordinating energy efficiency programs. DCD currently operates several different energy efficiency programs serving the public, and the Sustainability Coordinator will provide coordination and pursue expansion of these services.  
      
    The Sustainability Coordinator will also assist DCD and other departments in seeking grant funds through the State’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and other sources. The Sustainability Coordinator will monitor the State’s grant-making activities and will work with subject matter experts in various departments to facilitate submittal of applications for GGRF and other grant funds.  
      
    Health Services  
      
    The County Sustainability Coordinator will support the work of Contra Costa Health Services. The Sustainability Coordinator will work with Health Services to help reduce health inequities that exist within the County through the implementation of sustainability programs and initiatives.   
      
    Health Services expects that climate change will have greater health impacts on populations that are already suffering from worse health outcomes than the general population. Based on expected climate changes, and data from current and historical climate events, those vulnerable populations include: low income people, people without access to cars or limited access to public transit, households which are linguistically isolated, the very young and very old, medically vulnerable because of disease or disability, and people in outdoor occupations. Projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or to improve sustainability can be designed not only to mitigate the impacts of climate change and help the population of the County adapt to a changing climate, but also to guard against inequitable impacts and even have immediate positive impacts on the health of vulnerable populations. Working with the Health Department, the Sustainability Coordinator will be able to target programs to improve the health of all County residents but also to protect those most vulnerable.   
      
    Public Works  
      
    The Public Works Department would anticipate the Sustainability Coordinator will provide many of the same support efforts as both Conservation and Development and Health Services. These could include assisting our contract Energy Manager with researching, identifying and applying for grants and funding opportunities related to sustainable methods and opportunities for Public Works operations. These operations could include County infrastructure such as buildings, street lights, traffic signals, County fleet services and related infrastructure. Public Works is pursuing sustainability efforts with HVAC, interior and exterior lighting, control systems, alternative fleet vehicles, such as hybrid, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and electric. The Sustainability Coordinator could also provide support for the on-going solar initiatives and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) deployment throughout County facilities.  
      
    The Sustainability Coordinator could also provide support to Department efforts to conserve water at County Facilities and within the public right of way.

    CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

    The County will not have a Sustainability Coordinator to serve as staff to the Board of Supervisor's Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability, coordinate sustainability activities of County departments, and/or implement measures stated in the Climate Action Plan.  
      
      
      
    1 The Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability is composed of Supervisors John Gioia and Federal D. Glover. Note that Supervisor Glover was not in attendance at the March-September meetings.

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